He said: “I did see that. It pleases me to see one of our players is compassionate and has done something we'd have expected him to do anyway.”

Bentley was not the only player to show his true character off the pitch in the past week with captain Harlee Dean featuring in a charity game to help the victims of the Grenfell Tower disaster.

He said: “I've always said about characters and personalities is something we look to bring in. They need to show that compassion.

“There's great togetherness at the club but also having players that understand what's going on in the world as well.”

Brentford and Southampton are sharing the profits of their upcoming pre-season friendly to the Grenfell Tower disaster fund and Smith was full of sympathy for those affected by the tragedy in west London.

He explained: “It's the least we could do. What's going on with those families is horrible to think about.”